Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHypertension in WomenSymptomsRisk in Transgender WomenPregnancyHow it Affects the BodyTreatmentHome RemediesPreventionWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hypertension in Women
Symptoms
Risk in Transgender Women
Pregnancy
How it Affects the Body
Treatment
Home Remedies
Prevention
When to Seek Care
Roughly half of all American adults have high blood pressure (hypertension). Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women, with 50% of adult men living with high blood pressure compared to 44% of women.Left untreated, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, heart, brain, and other organs. Hormonal changes due to conditions such as menopause and pregnancy contribute to high blood pressure risk in women.This article provides a blood pressure chart and describes how high blood pressure affects women.Mayur Kakade / Getty ImagesWhat Is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.What Are High Blood Pressure Levels in Women?The threshold to diagnose high blood pressure is not gender-specific, meaning that high blood pressure in women is classified the same as high blood pressure in a person of any other gender.Generally, normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Above that, a blood pressure of up to 130/80 is considered elevated. Healthcare providers determine your blood pressure stage based on a specific range, as seen in the blood pressure chart below:Someblood pressure charts consider specific factors, such as age and race or ethnicity.Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in WomenFor most people, high blood pressure develops with no noticeablesymptomsover time.When symptoms do occur, they may be more pronounced in women. However, they’re often attributed to other health concerns, such as stress, anxiety, or menopause.Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Older WomenOlder women with stiff or congested arteries are less likely to experience symptoms of high blood pressure compared to younger women, according to some reports. Young to middle-aged women are more likely to experience symptoms of high blood pressure. Examples of these symptoms include:Blurred visionChest pain that appears alongside stress, without radiating to other areasFatigue, lack of energy, and difficulty sleepingHeadachesHot flashesOccasionalfluid retentionin the ankles, hands, or eyesPain that starts in the chest and radiates to the jaw, shoulders, or left armPalpitations, increased heart rates, oratrial fibrillationSevere sweating during the day or at nightTight, persistentchest painat restYour bra feels like it’s fitting too tightMany of these symptoms can also overlap with hormonal changes and fluctuations in sex hormones. Menopause (when menstrual periods have seized for 12 months in a row) and pregnancy all play a significant role in the development of high blood pressure in women—especially during middle age.High Blood Pressure in Transgender WomenIf you have undergone any form of gender reassignment therapy, hormonal therapies can have an impact on various physiological processes, including your blood pressure.One study revealed thatgender-affirming hormone therapy(GAHT) can dramatically increase blood pressure levels. However, the young age at which most individuals seek these treatments can be protective against reaching stages 1 or 2 hypertension.If you have undergone or are planning to seek GAHT, talk to your healthcare team about your medical history and how hormonal therapies can impact your health.High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy: Understanding PreeclampsiaHormone levels can trigger changes in blood pressure, which is why pregnant people are at risk forpreeclampsia, a high blood pressure condition that occurs during pregnancy. Changing hormone levels, increased fluid retention in the body, and other physical stressors contribute to preeclampsia.Gestational hypertensionand preeclampsia are two severe variations of this condition that can cause problems for pregnant people and their developing fetuses.All pregnant people should have their blood pressure checked regularly and be screened for conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia (a seizure disorder in pregnant people). Your healthcare team will monitor your blood pressure closely and suggest treatments based on your blood pressure level and other underlying conditions.Some risk factors for developing complications with high blood pressure during pregnancy include:DiabetesKidney diseaseAutoimmune conditionsCarrying multiples, such as twins or tripletsA history of preeclampsia during previous pregnanciesGestational hypertension is usually diagnosed in pregnant people who have normal blood pressure levels before pregnancy but develop blood pressures of 140/90 mm Hg and up in the second half of pregnancy.Preeclampsia typically appears during the second half of pregnancy, usually in the third trimester. You may be diagnosed with this condition if you have repeated high blood pressure readings alongside proteins in your urine. Certain proteins in the urine are a sign of multi-organ danger and often signal the need for immediate medical treatment—and, in some cases, early delivery.However, there are other indicators of preeclampsia that may occur without proteins present, such as abnormal kidney function or headaches.High blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy can put you and your fetus at risk for immediate complications. It can also increase your risk of developing high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems later in life.What Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Does to the BodyUntreated high blood pressure can cause permanent damage to your blood vessels, organs, and other body tissues. The strain of increased force of high blood pressure on your blood vessels and tissues—and the extra work your heart does—can cause significant health issues like:Heart attackCardiovascular diseaseKidney damageHeart failureStrokeVision lossChest painPeripheral artery diseaseSexual dysfunctionHow to Treat High Blood Pressure in WomenTreatmentoptions for high blood pressure are similar regardless of gender and usually include a combination of prescription medications, diet modification, and lifestyle changes.If your blood pressure gets too high, a healthcare provider will prescribe one or more medications to control it, and it’s important that you stick to the prescribed regimen.The classes ofmedicationsmost often used to treat high blood pressure include:Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsAlpha-2 receptor agonistsAlpha-blockersAngiotensin 2 receptor blockersBeta-blockersCalcium channel blockersCombined alpha- and beta-blockersDiureticsVasodilatorsOutside of these medications, though, nondrug strategies can help manage your blood pressure and should be used alongside any medications.Home Remedies to Lower Blood Pressure NaturallyIn addition to medications and meeting regularly with a healthcare provider, strategies such as the following can help you manage and evenlower your blood pressurenaturally:Getting enough sleepExercising regularlyReducing stress through meditationLong-term stress reduction and adherence to a healthy, well-balanced diet can help you manage your blood pressure. It’s also important to know how to check your blood pressure at home and what your readings mean.7 Breathing Exercises to Lower Your Blood PressureHow to Prevent High Blood PressureMaintaining lifelong healthy habits is the best way to prevent high blood pressure. Making healthy changes as you age can help you avoid severe high blood pressure.Whether you are trying to prevent high blood pressure or you are working to reduce your blood pressure alongside medications, the following measures can help:Eating a healthful dietExercisingLimiting alcohol consumptionQuitting smokingReducing stressGenetic Risk Factors for High Blood PressureWhen to Contact a Healthcare ProviderIf yourblood pressure readingsare high on two or more healthcare visits, your healthcare team will probably start discussing lifestyle changes to prevent high blood pressure and related complications. Depending on your blood pressure stage, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication.If you have repeated elevated (high) blood pressure readings at home, schedule an appointment to see a healthcare provider.A blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher—even on a single occasion—can be a sign of trouble, especially if it appears alongside symptoms like chest pain, vision changes, or headache. If you have a blood pressure reading or symptoms that fall into this category, visit your nearest urgent care or emergency department, or call 911 for immediate medical attention.SummaryWomen are less likely than men overall to develop high blood pressure, but the numbers are close, and women may experience symptoms that men don’t have. Women are also at risk for high blood pressure when hormone levels change, like during pregnancy or menopause. See a healthcare provider for regular health screenings and blood pressure monitoring.
Roughly half of all American adults have high blood pressure (hypertension). Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women, with 50% of adult men living with high blood pressure compared to 44% of women.
Left untreated, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, heart, brain, and other organs. Hormonal changes due to conditions such as menopause and pregnancy contribute to high blood pressure risk in women.
This article provides a blood pressure chart and describes how high blood pressure affects women.
Mayur Kakade / Getty Images
What Is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
What Are High Blood Pressure Levels in Women?
The threshold to diagnose high blood pressure is not gender-specific, meaning that high blood pressure in women is classified the same as high blood pressure in a person of any other gender.
Generally, normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Above that, a blood pressure of up to 130/80 is considered elevated. Healthcare providers determine your blood pressure stage based on a specific range, as seen in the blood pressure chart below:
Someblood pressure charts consider specific factors, such as age and race or ethnicity.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Women
For most people, high blood pressure develops with no noticeablesymptomsover time.When symptoms do occur, they may be more pronounced in women. However, they’re often attributed to other health concerns, such as stress, anxiety, or menopause.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Older Women
Older women with stiff or congested arteries are less likely to experience symptoms of high blood pressure compared to younger women, according to some reports. Young to middle-aged women are more likely to experience symptoms of high blood pressure. Examples of these symptoms include:
Many of these symptoms can also overlap with hormonal changes and fluctuations in sex hormones. Menopause (when menstrual periods have seized for 12 months in a row) and pregnancy all play a significant role in the development of high blood pressure in women—especially during middle age.
High Blood Pressure in Transgender Women
If you have undergone any form of gender reassignment therapy, hormonal therapies can have an impact on various physiological processes, including your blood pressure.
One study revealed thatgender-affirming hormone therapy(GAHT) can dramatically increase blood pressure levels. However, the young age at which most individuals seek these treatments can be protective against reaching stages 1 or 2 hypertension.
If you have undergone or are planning to seek GAHT, talk to your healthcare team about your medical history and how hormonal therapies can impact your health.
High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy: Understanding Preeclampsia
Hormone levels can trigger changes in blood pressure, which is why pregnant people are at risk forpreeclampsia, a high blood pressure condition that occurs during pregnancy. Changing hormone levels, increased fluid retention in the body, and other physical stressors contribute to preeclampsia.
Gestational hypertensionand preeclampsia are two severe variations of this condition that can cause problems for pregnant people and their developing fetuses.
All pregnant people should have their blood pressure checked regularly and be screened for conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia (a seizure disorder in pregnant people). Your healthcare team will monitor your blood pressure closely and suggest treatments based on your blood pressure level and other underlying conditions.
Some risk factors for developing complications with high blood pressure during pregnancy include:
Gestational hypertension is usually diagnosed in pregnant people who have normal blood pressure levels before pregnancy but develop blood pressures of 140/90 mm Hg and up in the second half of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia typically appears during the second half of pregnancy, usually in the third trimester. You may be diagnosed with this condition if you have repeated high blood pressure readings alongside proteins in your urine. Certain proteins in the urine are a sign of multi-organ danger and often signal the need for immediate medical treatment—and, in some cases, early delivery.
However, there are other indicators of preeclampsia that may occur without proteins present, such as abnormal kidney function or headaches.
High blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy can put you and your fetus at risk for immediate complications. It can also increase your risk of developing high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems later in life.
What Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Does to the Body
Untreated high blood pressure can cause permanent damage to your blood vessels, organs, and other body tissues. The strain of increased force of high blood pressure on your blood vessels and tissues—and the extra work your heart does—can cause significant health issues like:
How to Treat High Blood Pressure in Women
Treatmentoptions for high blood pressure are similar regardless of gender and usually include a combination of prescription medications, diet modification, and lifestyle changes.
If your blood pressure gets too high, a healthcare provider will prescribe one or more medications to control it, and it’s important that you stick to the prescribed regimen.
The classes ofmedicationsmost often used to treat high blood pressure include:
Outside of these medications, though, nondrug strategies can help manage your blood pressure and should be used alongside any medications.
Home Remedies to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
In addition to medications and meeting regularly with a healthcare provider, strategies such as the following can help you manage and evenlower your blood pressurenaturally:
Long-term stress reduction and adherence to a healthy, well-balanced diet can help you manage your blood pressure. It’s also important to know how to check your blood pressure at home and what your readings mean.
7 Breathing Exercises to Lower Your Blood Pressure
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure
Maintaining lifelong healthy habits is the best way to prevent high blood pressure. Making healthy changes as you age can help you avoid severe high blood pressure.
Whether you are trying to prevent high blood pressure or you are working to reduce your blood pressure alongside medications, the following measures can help:
Genetic Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If yourblood pressure readingsare high on two or more healthcare visits, your healthcare team will probably start discussing lifestyle changes to prevent high blood pressure and related complications. Depending on your blood pressure stage, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication.
If you have repeated elevated (high) blood pressure readings at home, schedule an appointment to see a healthcare provider.
A blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher—even on a single occasion—can be a sign of trouble, especially if it appears alongside symptoms like chest pain, vision changes, or headache. If you have a blood pressure reading or symptoms that fall into this category, visit your nearest urgent care or emergency department, or call 911 for immediate medical attention.
Summary
Women are less likely than men overall to develop high blood pressure, but the numbers are close, and women may experience symptoms that men don’t have. Women are also at risk for high blood pressure when hormone levels change, like during pregnancy or menopause. See a healthcare provider for regular health screenings and blood pressure monitoring.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about hypertension.Reckelhoff JF.Mechanisms of sex and gender differences in hypertension.J Hum Hypertens.2023;37(596–601). doi:10.1038/s41371-023-00810-4American Heart Association.High blood pressure.Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.European Society of Cardiology.High blood pressure is the most deadly risk factor for women worldwide. May 17, 2023.Maas, AH.Hypertension in women: no ‘silent’ lady-killer.E-Journal of Cardiology Practice. 2019;17(21).Connelly PJ, Currie G, Delles C.Sex differences in the prevalence, outcomes and management of hypertension.Curr Hypertens Re.2022;24:185-192. doi:10.1007/s11906-022-01183-8Satoh M.Blood pressure changes with gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people.Hypertens Res.2023;46(792-793). doi:10.1038/s41440-022-01162-1The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. April 2022.American Heart Association.High blood pressure, pregnancy complications may greatly raise future moms' heart risk.American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.American Heart Association.Changes you can make to manage high blood pressure.American Medical Association.7 steps women should follow to improve blood pressure control. October 16, 2023.American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about hypertension.Reckelhoff JF.Mechanisms of sex and gender differences in hypertension.J Hum Hypertens.2023;37(596–601). doi:10.1038/s41371-023-00810-4American Heart Association.High blood pressure.Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.European Society of Cardiology.High blood pressure is the most deadly risk factor for women worldwide. May 17, 2023.Maas, AH.Hypertension in women: no ‘silent’ lady-killer.E-Journal of Cardiology Practice. 2019;17(21).Connelly PJ, Currie G, Delles C.Sex differences in the prevalence, outcomes and management of hypertension.Curr Hypertens Re.2022;24:185-192. doi:10.1007/s11906-022-01183-8Satoh M.Blood pressure changes with gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people.Hypertens Res.2023;46(792-793). doi:10.1038/s41440-022-01162-1The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. April 2022.American Heart Association.High blood pressure, pregnancy complications may greatly raise future moms' heart risk.American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.American Heart Association.Changes you can make to manage high blood pressure.American Medical Association.7 steps women should follow to improve blood pressure control. October 16, 2023.American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about hypertension.Reckelhoff JF.Mechanisms of sex and gender differences in hypertension.J Hum Hypertens.2023;37(596–601). doi:10.1038/s41371-023-00810-4American Heart Association.High blood pressure.Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.European Society of Cardiology.High blood pressure is the most deadly risk factor for women worldwide. May 17, 2023.Maas, AH.Hypertension in women: no ‘silent’ lady-killer.E-Journal of Cardiology Practice. 2019;17(21).Connelly PJ, Currie G, Delles C.Sex differences in the prevalence, outcomes and management of hypertension.Curr Hypertens Re.2022;24:185-192. doi:10.1007/s11906-022-01183-8Satoh M.Blood pressure changes with gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people.Hypertens Res.2023;46(792-793). doi:10.1038/s41440-022-01162-1The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. April 2022.American Heart Association.High blood pressure, pregnancy complications may greatly raise future moms' heart risk.American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.American Heart Association.Changes you can make to manage high blood pressure.American Medical Association.7 steps women should follow to improve blood pressure control. October 16, 2023.American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about hypertension.
Reckelhoff JF.Mechanisms of sex and gender differences in hypertension.J Hum Hypertens.2023;37(596–601). doi:10.1038/s41371-023-00810-4
American Heart Association.High blood pressure.
Cleveland Clinic.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.
European Society of Cardiology.High blood pressure is the most deadly risk factor for women worldwide. May 17, 2023.
Maas, AH.Hypertension in women: no ‘silent’ lady-killer.E-Journal of Cardiology Practice. 2019;17(21).
Connelly PJ, Currie G, Delles C.Sex differences in the prevalence, outcomes and management of hypertension.Curr Hypertens Re.2022;24:185-192. doi:10.1007/s11906-022-01183-8
Satoh M.Blood pressure changes with gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people.Hypertens Res.2023;46(792-793). doi:10.1038/s41440-022-01162-1
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. April 2022.
American Heart Association.High blood pressure, pregnancy complications may greatly raise future moms' heart risk.
American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.
American Heart Association.Changes you can make to manage high blood pressure.
American Medical Association.7 steps women should follow to improve blood pressure control. October 16, 2023.
American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.
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